Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday warned that the entire country could take to the streets in the coming months, speaking over alleged 'vote chori' (vote theft) and reiterating his demand for voting through ballot papers and transparency in elections, ANI reported.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Thackeray questioned the urgency of conducting elections through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and said he had been demanding a return to ballot papers since 2018. "I have been demanding voting through ballot papers since 2018. There must be transparency in elections. Voting is conducted through ballot papers in our neighbouring countries as well. In France, the process was stopped following an objection raised by an individual. Voting through machines happens very quickly. But who is in such a hurry to conduct voting?" he said, according to the report.

Referring to his earlier prediction of a major development in the country over the next two to four months, the MNS chief said several things would come to light in the coming days. "I had spoken to you earlier about how something major would happen in this country over the next two to four months. Just keep watching. Many things will come out in the open now. This will no longer stop," he said.

Thackeray also claimed that people had found a platform to express their anger, and predicted shortages of foodgrains and other essential commodities that the government would be unable to handle — claims made by the MNS chief that remain his political assessment. In Maharashtra, opposition parties have separately announced a march in Mumbai on November 1 against the Election Commission over alleged discrepancies in the voter list, which they describe as allegations yet to be established.